A/N: This is my first muli-chapter fanfic. I'll try to update regularly, but reviews will help with that. I hope you enjoy and now, please read!
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender does not belong to me. If it did, episode 3 14 would have aired already.
Chapter One: Hole in the Ground
Zuko hastily pulled his head back into the cavern—ok, hole—Toph for made for him. Who knew that the Earth Kingdom could feel as cold as the Water Tribes? Especially when the wind was blowing hard enough to send boulders flying past at alarming speeds. He wished that it had been possible to follow Aang and the others into the village. Then maybe he wouldn't be fighting off hypothermia with little more than his short sleeved shirt, pants, boots, and cloak definitely not made for this weather. On the bright side though, it was nice to get away from Katara's blatant hostility. It was too bad he had to give up Toph's company in the process.
As pounding rattled the roof of his dwelling, Zuko jerked his head up, praying that the ceiling would hold up and cursing the blind-spot in his left eye as his scar violently grazed a protruding rock. Before long, the threat passed, once again leaving Zuko alone. It had probably been nothing more than a pissed off Earthbender, which wouldn't pose much of a threat to a Firebender of Zuko's caliber. He relaxed and settled into meditation, the first chance he had gotten in several days. His mind had the habit of degenerating rapidly into chaos when left alone. As he had no candles, he settled for a small flame hovering inches above his hand. With practiced ease, Zuko settled into a set breathing pattern and drifted away from his body.
Almost immediately, it traveled to his mother. Where was she? Did she know that he had thought she died for nearly ten years, or did she think he abandoned her? How was she doing?
She's most likely in Earth Kingdom, I'll deal with that when I see her, and… His attempts at self-assurance trailed off. She's strong, he reminded himself. She can pull through anything. She has to.
His mind continued wandering as he did basic housekeeping in his mind, amazed that it wasn't in worse shape. Maybe discovering his destiny and peace of mind had helped…
A sudden burst of air found his hiding spot, rousing him from his meditation. Slowly, he opened his eyes, staring blankly at the dancing flame in front of him. It was just as well. He had been about to tread on the topic of why exactly he was shivering in a hole while the rest of his traveling companions (he hesitated to call any of them friends; he wasn't sure what their reaction to it would be) were spending the night in the nearby town, searching for the Earth King. That was a mood buster if nothing else was.
His stomach growled loudly, informing him how long it had been since the previous meal. Digging around his bag, Zuko pulled out rations and devoured them rapidly. Content, he curled up around his few possessions, single hand grasping the hilts of his swords. His breathing evened out and eyes remained open for less and less time. Eventually, they closed entirely, sending him off to a different world.
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